A report on facilities for older people has found only one shower between 24 residents in an Ennis care centre.
St Joseph’s Hospital was one of 18 inspection reports which have just been published by HIQA.
Clare FM’s Fiona McGarry reports:
On the day of the unannounced inspection at St Joseph’s Hospital on August 18th last, there were 120 residents and 20 vacant beds.
Inspectors found the facility to be majorly non-compliant in three areas, and moderately non-compliant four areas.
There was just one toilet area to share between 12 residents, the door to a toilet area was partially blocked by a bed, and clear glass panels on some bedded units had an impact on residents’ dignity.
HIQA noted that patients spent the majority of their day in their beds and that the centre appeared institutionalised and hospital-like.
In response, Management said a refurbishment programme is planned, and will be completed by 2021.
Last month, at Ennis District Court, an agreement was reached between the HSE and HIQA to keep the facility open to new admissions.
The two sides agreed that the HSE would continue to carry out works at the hospital to improve the lived environment for the residents there.
Speaking after the hearing last month, Chief Officer in Community Healthcare for the HSE MidWest, Bernard Gloster spoke to Clare FM’s Gavin Grace:
You can read the HIQA report in full here.
